Generally, I like Vista from Microsoft, but since it is fairly new there are not a lot of solutions available as there are for Windows.  That said, here is my problem:
while typing I somehow changed the "Taskbar" at the bottom of the screen so that the icons are very, very small.

I have tried to remedy this for about a week.  No luck.

If you know how to reverse this, please put me out of my misery.

Thank you.

Try this. Right Click on the Taskbar, Unlock the Taskbar (De-select the 'Lock the Taskbar' option). Then you can see the 'Resize Bars'. Right Click on the Left Resize Bar, the one near the Start Orb. Then from the Menu, select 'View' and then 'Large Icons'. That's it, There you can see the Large Quick Launch Icons... Again, Lock the Taskbar. Let me if this works for you.

Well, I found the Resize bars after all.  That didn't solve all of my problem.  I kind of remember seeing a drop down or pop up menu when I caused this problem that said something about classic view or some such thing.  Obviously, I guessed wrong and changed the look of the bottom task bar.

When I click on the orb I no longer see the farily large pop up menu that includes "Recent Items".  I think once I can get this menu back my screen will look the way I liked it before I messed it up.  I hope.

Got any suggestions?

Thanks for your good help so far.

Try the right-click on the large orb and choose PROPERTIES. Click the START MENU tab and switch to the one not selected and see if that returns you to the look you prefer.

Donna has rescued me.  Thank you.